Park assist... Is that really what it looks like?

[VSBNDR]

Taken from Agi's link:

According to the results, female car buyers really gravitated toward practical cars; smaller, more fuel-efficient cars while it was male buyers, who preferred either a fast, sporty vehicle or more heavy-duty vehicle, like a large truck or SUV, basing their decision more on aesthetics than substance.

I find this very true. As a single gal, yes I go more for the practical and I'm not too picky when it comes to luxury options. So it's surprising to me that women don't seem to buy Ford. Especially since Ford is claiming to have fuel efficient cars too. But it could be that women associate Ford with more 'manly' vehicles. I myself, am guilty of this. Prior to the whole bailout situation, I never considered Ford for myself because I always associated Ford with trucks, SUV's, bigger vehicles. Vehicles that a single gal didn't need. But now I look at Ford differently. Not because Mike speaks for them, but because they've gained my respect because they didn't take the handout. They are now on my list of possible future car purchases, even though that may not be for quite awhile.

Another reason women may not look to Ford is because a lot of them are married. In that case, most women let the husband have a lot of say in what car they choose. My guess would be that even though most women like/want the more practical...their husbands, who know they will also be driving the cars themselves, are going to go for the practical car that has the most luxury options.

But that's just my opinion. Take it for what it's worth, because I as a gal, I HATE shopping for cars. In fact, even though single, I always recruit the brother-in-law to help me shop for a car. I tell him what I want/like in a car and he goes looking. So a lot of my car buying influence comes from....a guy.

[Bluechild]

Gayle, no, I'm not a male groupie...and not every woman on mrW isn't either. I've just witnessed much female obsession with Mike here. C'mon admit it...you have too.

My obsessions are better served to things and people closer to home. In many respects I'm a bit long in the tooth and too flinty to be a "female groupie". Although, I've found a recent fascination with a Michael..............Michael Fassbender. What the boards have done for me and for which I thank Mike for is becoming associated with some neat people. And making rewarding and enjoyable friendships. Also for reigniting my old love of Writing. What obsessions you are witness to on the boards is a very small sampling of those who keep Mike on the air. There are people who add sufficiently to his ratings who never look on the boards, never comment on a thread. They are both male and female. And by all accounts of a rather broad configuration of ages.

Now to the "park assist". I do believe Lexus came out with it first, Toyota has it as well. Park Assist (IPAS or APGS) is a luxury. Nothing should ever replace knowing how to park the car yourself. It's been nearly half a century since I had to pass a driving test, but I think knowing how to park is still required to obtained ones DL. Saying the "car knows how" ain't gonna cut it.


Gayle

[pelenka]

Agi, relative to your comment about cars driving themselves...we are much closer to that than you may think. Cars today are loaded with smart technology. Things like Lane Departure and Blind Spot warning systems. There are automotive systems that can sense if the driver is falling asleep and wakes them up. There are systems that can see the road ahead and adjust the vehicle's suspension accordingly. The average car today has over 20 on-board systems controlling everything from fuel economy to braking to steering.

That's amazing. It sounds like you’re describing a spaceship. In retrospect, I remember thinking the same when I’ve first heard about automatic transmission. Ha! The times we live in.

I believe some day in the future people will be saying things to their kids like "at one time people had to actually drive their own cars around!" "Can you imagine?"

I can certainly see that. Although, driving is such a lifestyle/hobby, I doubt it would ever completely disappear. Some people will still want to man their own vehicles, if for no other reason, than for fun. Much like the small but determined group of people, including myself, who cling desperately to the habit of “actual driving”, meaning with a stick shift, regardless of how inconvenient it is in stop-and-go urban traffic.

-Agi

[sillyme]

I'm all for a car that will drive itself.

Francesca

[Bluechild]

I'm all for a car that will drive itself.

Francesca

Have you seen the movie The Minority Report?


Gayle

[sillyme]

Have you seen the movie The Minority Report?


Gayle

I haven't. Is it worth renting?

Francesca

[Bluechild]

I haven't. Is it worth renting?

Francesca

It's pretty good. Tom Cruz actually does some real acting in this one. Plus it features cars that drive themselves.


Gayle

[pelenka]

Tom Cruise drives me nvts. There... I said it.

-Agi

[Bluechild]

Tom Cruise drives me nvts. There... I said it.

-Agi

Yeah, sometimes AI think he reminds me of the squierrl one could get in their attic thaat takes an expensive professional exterminator to get out. Annoying little fella'. And yet he has had a couple of movies in the last five years where he sort of played against the Hollywood forever young" type. Dude can act a little............who knew.


Gayle

[sillyme]

Plus it features cars that drive themselves.

Ha! I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

Francesca